Criminal Defense FAQ

Common Criminal Defense Questions

The Law Offices of Phillip T. Ridolfo, Jr. serves to defend those who have
been wrongfully accused of crimes in the West Palm Beach area. If you
have questions about your charges or need an aggressive defense attorney
on your side, I have the answers and experience that you need.

Call (561) 475-2752 today for your free consultation!

What should I do when I have been charged with a crime?

If you've been arrested, don't speak to anyone until you have an attorney
by your side. Your first priority after an arrest should be to speak with
an experienced
West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer about your case so that you are protected from incrimination. Your attorney
can advise you of
your rights and help you navigate the situation with the least damage to your reputation
and freedoms.

I have
served as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney in West Palm Beach. Throughout the years of my service, I have seen countless
criminal cases and understand the criminal process from start to finish. My
25 years of experience will prove invaluable to your case because I understand how the system
works and how to fight for your rights. If you have been charged with
a crime, you should be proactive about your future and seek the help of
an experienced attorney immediately. There is no time to wait.

Will I go to jail?

Whether or not you go to jail depends on your alleged offense. When someone
is arrested, they are usually placed in a holding cell until their arraignment.
If your alleged offense is serious enough, then you could be held in jail
after your arraignment until or unless bail is posted. Some misdemeanors
will result in a jail sentence upon conviction, and felony convictions
will result in imprisonment in state prison.

What penalties am I facing?

Criminal penalties vary depending on the crime. Misdemeanors usually result
in a fine and possible imprisonment in the county jail. Felonies result
in higher fines and possible imprisonment in state prison.

Is it possible to fight a DUI charge?

These are common charges for DUI in the state and countless individuals
fail to fight them, simply taking on the repercussions instead. There
are actually a number of valid defenses to a charge that can clear a suspect's
name and allow them to avoid the penalties. One type of defense has to
do with the tests that are administered. It might be a
field sobriety test or a chemical test. Arguments can include that the test was not administered
correctly, there were influencing factors or even that a Breathalyzer
device was faulty. It should also be looked into whether or not the arresting
officer had reasonable cause to make the stop in the first place. Working
with an attorney is an excellent idea as they will better understand the
types of defenses

I was arrested for DUI with proof that I was over the legal limit. Can
I avoid a conviction?

that exist and how to assess a situation to determine the right option.

I was arrested for DUI with proof that I was over the legal limit. Can
I avoid a conviction?

Each case is unique, and there is no pat answer to resolving aDUI charge, but there are certain questions that have to be asked about any
drunk-driving arrest. Did the police officer have probable grounds for
suspicion that prompted him to pull you over, or was it an illegal traffic
stop? Was the field sobriety test or Breathalyzer test that determined
whether you were over the limit performed flawlessly, or were there factors
present that could invalidate the test, such as faulty operation of the
testing equipment or environmental conditions that would make it difficult
to pass? If you work with an attorney who has a background with DUI cases
you may be able to prevent a guilty verdict despite any evidence against you.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?

These are two serious forms of criminal accusations. They can both come
with detrimental penalties from the court including jail time, license
suspension, costly fines,
probation and more. A felony is known to be the more serious charge between the
two and can come with an even higher level of repercussions. A misdemeanor
is still significant through and a guilty verdict can be harmful to those
that suffer one. Some crimes can be considered a felony, while others
remain a misdemeanor. Other crimes will walk the fence and it will be
dependent on the details of the situation to determine which way they
will be charged.

How much will it cost me to hire an attorney?

The final cost of your legal defense will depend on how much effort it
takes to resolve your case.
Misdemeanor crimesfrequently entail less work than a
felony crime like
drug trafficking, but no two cases are the same and it is impossible to predict with 100%
accuracy the cost of any
criminal defensecase. The alternative to hiring a skilled lawyer to represent you is exposing
yourself to an increased risk of a guilty verdict and being forced to
serve a term in jail or prison, pay fines that commonly range in the thousands
of dollars, perform community service and live with a criminal record.
I believe that every American is innocent until proven guilty, and at
my firm you can set up a payment plan so that you can enjoy the benefits
of professional legal counsel.

What can I do if I have already been convicted?

Being charged for a crime is a difficult place to be. You fear what could
happen if convicted. If you have already suffered a guilty sentencing
you have already had to deal with this. You may have completed your sentencing
but are still facing difficulties from the lingering cloud that is left
by a conviction. It can hinder you in many ways, including restraining
many individuals from being able to retain a job or live in certain areas. An
expungement can help solve this issue. For those that have not been given an expungement,
the information regarding a conviction is open to the public. It can be
found within seconds by a potential employer conducting a background check
of an individual they are considering hiring. When an expungement is granted
by the court this information will be sealed and can only be accessed
by certain parties.

Is stalking a crime?

Some people may not recognize how serious their actions are considered.
It may have been innocent in nature but if the attention that is being
given is unwanted by the recipient, then it can turn into a criminal act
to continue on. It can be considered a misdemeanor or a felony charge
depending on the circumstances, such as if serious threats were made or
it is against a child that is younger than 16.

What is sex offender registration?

Sex offender registration is required of most convicted sex offenders.
They must provide their personal information - including their name, physical
description, and address - to be made available for public search and
view. This allows anyone to know exactly who in their neighborhood, or
anywhere in the nation, is a convicted sex offender.

What is considered "disorderly conduct?"

Many people may not recognize when they are out with their friends, just
how rowdy they may appear to those around them. After a few drinks others
may not realize how loud or out of hand they are being perceived as.
Disorderly conduct involves disturbing the peace, such as causing a scene in a public area
whether it is through indecency or fighting. This is misdemeanor charge
but it can be further elevated when other charges are made with it, such
as resisting arrest from an officer. The charge on its own can include
fines and jail time as a punishment.

Is there anything that I can do to take the crime off my record?

In Florida there are the options of having a record sealed and having it
expunged. Sealing a record means that the general public will no longer
have access to the information. In s. 943.059(4)(a) of the Florida Statutes,
there are certain agencies or entities of the government that will still
be able to access this information. Expunging a record will mean that
the different entities will not be able to access the information without
a court order. Without a court order they would only be informed that
the content on the record has been expunged. Sealing and expunging are
two incredibly valuable options that can allow you to put the past in
the past. The best option though is to effectively defend against the
charges in the first place.

Why should I hire Attorney Phillip T. Ridolfo, Jr.?

As a dedicated West Palm Beach criminal attorney, I have more than 25 years
of experience defending clients facing all types of criminal charges.
From minor misdemeanors to serious felonies, from shoplifting to sexual
battery and murder, I can provide the relentless and effective defense that you
need. I am a former prosecutor with experience on both sides of the courtroom,
allowing me to anticipate your opponent's moves in court. If you need
a defense lawyer, I can provide the representation that you need.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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